Simulated Energy Crisis

This activity, created by Lily Bentley, was formed based on a hypothetical situation that has students research renewable and nonrenewable energy sources. In the activity's hypothetical situation: the year is 2012, and fighting in the Middle East has stopped exports of much of the world's supply of crude oil. As a result, United States Congress has enacted legislation tasking all jurisdictions to find alternatives to a minimum of 50% of the energy needed locally, which must include production facilities within the jurisdiction itself. Students will work to find a solution to Arlington, Virginia's energy problem by forming a company which supplies energy to all of Arlington County. As students create their companies, they should be thinking about the questions they would have to answer from the Arlington County Board, in charge of making the best decisions for the residents. Within the lesson, students should create companies that have at least seven employees (a CEO, a designer, facilities, two scientists, a company report writer, and an architect). Designed for sixth grade students, prior knowledge of basic mathematics, basic report writing, group work etiquette, and the difference between kinetic and potential energy is required. Upon completion of the activity, which will require up to two weeks of class time, students will be able to write a report on renewable or non-renewable energy, be able to build a model of their proposed power plant, participate in group discussions, self-evaluate their work, assess energy needs, and understand mining processes and resource availability. Included with this resource is a PowerPoint presentation on Uranium Mining for Nuclear Energy